Nineteen

Chapter 12

▪XIX▪

Trixie

After having dinner with my boss I went home. I didn't let him to take me home. I was so uncomfortable with him although he is gentleman & kind.

I remember Christoph asked me to go out with him last Monday. I think he noticed that I was avoiding him but of course I wouldn't admit it. I will go to church tomorrow with him.

I went to my bedroom straightly as soon as I reached home. I couldn't forget last Monday when I suddenly slipped on banana peel and Christoph held me. He was looking at me. My heart beats so fasts. Am I getting crazy? I always think about him. He always made me laughed even I got angry, sometimes. While I was lost to that scene, I heard a knock.

Jake: "Hi Trixie! Can we stay here for three days?"

Trixie: "Yeah sure. We? Seems your alone."

Jake: "They're in the van. It's so confusing if you would let us stay here..."

Trixie: "Why wouldn't I? Come in!"

It was eight-thirty in the evening when they came.

Trixie: "I was actually really bored in here but thanked God you came. Do you wanna eat?"

Lee: "Yeah.... Is it okay?"

Trixie: "Of course. Then after our dinner later I would take you to the room."

Lee just smiled. Christoph was very quiet and observing the whole time since they came. What was wrong with him? Claire and Mike were too close to each other. Christoph looked at me for a while then turned away. He's crazy!

Luke: "Now that your brother is in abroad we can stay here for more days if you want."

Trixie: "No it's okay and besides we're all working. It may disturb you."

Christoph: "No it won't, really."

Christoph suddenly said. I don't know what to tell him because he was still looking at me. If I can take off his eyes using the fork I was holding, I'll do it. But I can't because I don't want to have a bad record. :(

Jake: "Is it okay for you Trixie?"

Trixie: "Y-Yeah.. ah sure."

I stuttered. I don't know what I'm feeling right now. Claire and Mike volunteered to washed the dishes. I went to the guests rooms to change the bedsheets, pillow covers, and blankets. Actually, we have two guests rooms in our house. While I was doing on it, someone behind me talked. It was Christoph. He is the only guy who's calling me 'Trix'.

Christoph: "Trix can we talk?"

Trixie: "Yeah... sure. After this."

Christoph: "I'll help you now."

Trixie: "I can handle this."

I couldn't stop him though. After that we talked in the garden.

Trixie: "What is it?"

Christoph: "Are you angry at me?"

Trixie: "Of course not. You're too paranoid. Why would I?"

Christoph: "I'm not."

Trixie: "Yes you are..."

Christoph: "What if I done something wrong to you, would you get angry?"

Trixie: "Well, it depends on the situation."

Christoph: "Okay."

He was acting so weird these past few weeks. When they came earlier he looked so angry at me and now he asked me if I was angry.

Christoph

We went inside and I realize Claire and Mike were looking at me. I know that it was about the deal. I'll do it no matter what happens. Besides she doesn't know about it unless someone tell her. I will tell her everything if the deal is over but now that it isn't I can't. I won't fall for her and I'm sure of it.

Jake: "Date?"

Trixie: "Was it the only thing that come up to your mind everytime you see us together.

Trix asked him back.

Lee: "Lets just say they are taking things slowly but surely. Right Christoph?"

Christoph: "Maybe.."

Then we all laughed. Mike was just looking at me furiously, like he can swallow me anytime.

Trixie: "Guys your rooms were on the left side of my parents room. On Dalawa lang kasi guests room dito but malaki naman. And Claire doon ka na lang sa room ko."

Claire: "Mamaya na lang ako susunod sa room mo."

Trixie: "Okay. If you need something just tell me."

Jake: "All we need is food. Haha"

And they both laughed. Sam, Simon, Lee, and Luke were playing X-box. Trix went to the fridge and got snacks.

Luke: "Papatayin mo kami sa busog."

Trixie: "Don't you like it? If they will found and examine your body it wasn't hunger. It would be greed. Haha."

Luke: "Ang sama mo sa akin."

Trixie: "You just given me an idea."

Maya-maya isa- isa na silang pumasok sa room. Trixie was still with me in the sala.

Trixie: "Di ka pa tutulog?"

Christoph: "Later na ko susunod pumasok."

Claire and Mike went out. I don't know where they were going.

Trixie: "Iligpit ko lang ito then then pasok na ko. Ikaw?"

Christoph: "Ah.. pasok na din ako pagkatapos mo dito. Ever since magkasama na ba kayo ni Claire?"

Trixie: "Hinintay mo pa talaga ako. About Claire, since kindergarten pa. She is like a sister for me. Why?"

Christoph: "Nothing."

Trixie

After that I went upstairs and took a bath. As soon as I finished I combed my hair and blow dry. I laid on the bed for a while. I remember Claire and Mike seems so close the first time I've met Jake's company of friends. It was just nothing. Claire is kind and I knew it. I went out of my bedroom para isampay yung towel. I was wearing a white nighty dress. I used to wear that kind of clothes every night since dalawa lang naman kami ni kuya. If may bisita si kuya o kaya ako mismo sinasaway nya ko na wag palakad-lakad ng ganon suot ko. Mainitin kasi ako that's why I always wear that kind of garments. Pagpasok ko I went to the kitchen and then opened the fridge to get some chocolates and water. I didn't remember na may kasama pala ako ngayon sa bahay until someone went out of the comfort room near the kitchen and went straightly there. I was standing beside the fridge while I was munching chocolates.

It was Christoph. He is now standing near me. Christoph looked at me from head to toe. What the hell he's doing?? He came nearer and nearer. I felt my heart pounds terribly. What was wrong with what I wear?? He suddenly leaned and whispered on my ears.

Christoph: "Don't wear like that pag andito kami. Don't you dare walk to anywhere innocently. You're not a child anymore, Trix. You're a woman."

He whispered gently. I remember that I was wearing nighty and worsts kita talaga yung underwear and even my skin. I felt my cheeks hot. I was like burning at that time.

Trixie: "Ah...ah... yeah."

I stuttered. Narinig ko sila Jake and his friends na palabas ng bedroom. Christoph was still looking at me and he suddenly wrapped the towel around my body. I felt that he was kinda' concern at me. He was the only guy who had seen me wearing this na kulang na lang two piece suot ko.

Christoph: "Do you want water? Did you even forget na marami ka ngayong kasama dito? Oh well, sana'y na naman ako makakita ng naka-ganyan like my ex."

Darn!! He could told me that even I was in awkward situation. I left him in the kitchen. Pagdaan ko sa sala nandoon sila Jake, Lee, Luke, and Sam.

Jake: "Okay ka lang Trixie?"

Trixie: "Yeah ah.... I'm fine."

Luke: "I think the towel that wraps on you... is Christoph's towel. He owns that. Right?"

I couldn't answer him. It was too obvious that he owns the towel. I realized that Christoph followed after me. He responds to Luke.

Christoph: "Yeah that's my towel. Nabasa kasi sya sa kitchen so I let her use it."

They all looked at me. I hate the way they looked to me. Mas lalo nya pang binigyan ng sasabihin yung mga loko. While I was walking through the stairs Lee speaked.

Lee: "What's going on with you?"

Christoph: "Stop it Lee."

Nakahiga nga ako bu I couldn't sleep. It was already 3 o'clock in the morning and I'm still awake. I burried my face on my pillow but nothing happens. How could I talk or even looked at him if an awkward thing happened? He was a jerk!

'Sana'y naman ako makakita ng naka-ganyan like my ex.' His words keep on replaying. Until it was 6 o'clock. Di na ako makakatulog so I decided na bumaba na lang.

Christoph

Three o'clock na ng makatulog ako and pagdating ng six nagising na ako. I keep on thinking about her. Her reactions. She was too sexy and beautiful. Her clothes was too revealing. The moment I've seen her like that I went to her and wrapped my towel around her. I could hear how she breathe heavily. She felt awkward. I don't want my friends see her like that. Did I scared her? Stupid! I was just trying to help her so my friends won't see her like that. 'Sana'y naman ako makakita ng nakaganyan like my ex.' Why did I told her that? Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganon kabilis reaction when I've seen her. I'm just really concern to her.

Nakita ko si Trix na nasa sala na. Maaga din syang nagising. She didn't heard nor see that I was already there. She was thinking something that made her lost to the real world.

Christoph: "Trix Goodmorning!"

She was frightened the moment she heard my voice. She was blushing. She was wearing pants and white jacket. Was it because of I told her? She looked really nervous na parang gusto bumalik sa room nya.

Trixie: "Huh?ah... Goodmorning!"

Christoph: "Are you okay?"

Trixie: "Yeah...Ah have you seen Claire? She did not sleep to my room."

Christoph: "No. Why?"

Trixie: "Nothing."

Christoph: "Trix ah... about nga pala sa pagpunta sa church later. Tuloy ba tayo?"

Trixie: "Yeah. Three o'clock in the afternoon."

I helped her to cooked our breakfast. I've noticed na di sya masyado nagpapatulong if she needed something. She was trying to get something in the cabinet, maybe a bowl. Nakatungtong sya sa upuan malapit sa kitchen ng biglang madulas yung paa nya sa upuan. I quickly catched her. Her eyes were closed. Maybe she felt that she didn't fell on the ground. His brother was right that she's too clumsy. Our face were very close.

Christoph: "Pwede minsan mag-ingat ka? What if I was not here? You would probably fell and got hurt. You're very clumsy Trix."

Luke: "Maganda pa yung scene nyo kaysa sa umaga. How's everything going on?"

Bakit in that moment pa kailangan nila dumating. I could feel her breath while I was lifting her. I put her down and face Luke.

Christoph: "Napaka-clumsy kasi. Mabuti andito ako. Diba Luke?"

Trixie: "I-I'm not."

Christoph: "Sige ako na kukuha ng bowl. Try to seek help sometimes. You're too independent and too clumsy at the same time."

Luke: "Aheeem..."

Ewan ko ba pero madali na akong mainis if the topic is Trix. And worsts sometimes they go home just because they want to know if I like Trix.

Trixie: "Sige akyat muna ako."

Luke: "Di ka ba sasabay kumain?"

Trixie: "Ah liligo pa kasi ako."

Luke: "Okay."

What I've done again for her to left? She used to be like that; everytime she felt awkward or I've done wrong. I've noticed it. Didn't she also sleep because of last night? Ahhh... Don't think about her.

Luke: "Kanina pa kayo gising?"

Christoph: "Yeah."

Hanggang sa gising na silang lahat and we started our dinner. I didn't know where Mike slept and Trix didn't also know where Claire slept. Trix told me that Claire has a boyfriend but she's always with Mike.

Claire: "Where's Trixie?"

Luke: "Diba bumalik sa kwarto. Magkasama kayo sa kwarto natulog diba?"

Claire didn't answer him. They do not know na di natulog si Claire doon.

Lee: "Mike where did you slept?"

Mike: "I was in the sala the whole night."

Luke: "But you're not there when I woke up."

Mike: "Maaga akong lumabas, eh."

It was his alibis. What was going on between Claire and Mike?

Ilang oras na tapos kami mag-breakfast when she came out from her bedroom. Sam and Luke naglalaro ng X-box. As always Mike and Claire were talking in the garden. They're both clingy.

Lee: "Aga mo maligo."

Luke: "Christoph iyan na pala prinsesa mo."

Trix was just smiling. She was wearing pajama and fitted blouse. It was so obvious na nahiya because of me. I was so stupid that I told her that. I was just concerned for her that why I reminded her.

Trixie: "Where's Claire? Kumain na ba sya?"

She's really concern for her bestfriend.

Luke:"Kumain na. Actually, you're the only one who's not yet eating. She's with Mike pala."

She sat on the floor beside Sam. She smirked at me. She doesn't care if girl or not yung katabi nya. Tinulak nya si Sam to move.

Trixie: "Sorry paupo lang. Hayy... why she's always with Mike? Nakakatampo na sya."

Luke: "Ask her. Kami din nagtagaka bakit lagi syang kasama ni Mike. Baka dito ka mag-drama?"

Trixie: "I'm not an actress para mag-drama. I was just curious."

Luke: "Di lang naman artista nagda-drama pati heart broken."

Trixie: "Oh well I'm not one of them. Good for me."

Then she laughed. I was like crazy looking at how she laughed. Everytime she's around they will set aside what they're doing and just talk to her. What's within her personality to get the attention of my friends? Oh when it comes to physical aspects she's perfect. She's beautiful, sexy, and of course she has attractive lips & eyes. I admit she's also kind. She always occupied my mind even I'm working. She's driving me crazy!

Sam: "What if maranasan mo?"

Trixie: "Di pa yun unless mabaliw ako with my future ex."

Sam: "Future ex agad? Di ba pwedeng future boyfriend before ex-boyfriend?"

Trixie: "I think doon din yun pupunta. Pero dahil expert kayo dyan answer your question."

Luke: "Wala ka bang balak kumain?"

Trixie: "Wala pa. Where's Jake?"

Christoph: "He is in the bathroom."

Sam: "Here he is. Nagsalita na si future toot...toot..."

Luke: "Christoph why don't you go with her in the kitchen?, para makakain na rin sya."

Trixie: "I can eat alone."

Luke: "Okay siga kung ganon."

Christoph: "It's okay na samahan kita kumain."

Trixie: "I said I can eat alone."

Lee: "Gusto nyo iwan namin kayong dalawa?"

Christoph: "Yeah besides it's better na wala kayong mga asungot. I can talk to her ng maayos."

Di ko alam ba't ko nasabi iyon. They laughed so hard and Trix frowned.

Sam: "Trixie sa rooftop nyo muna kami."

Trixie: "No!"

She shouted. Sam looked at her.

Sam: "Are you really okay Trixie?"

Tinotoyo na naman sya. I know naiinis na sya sa akin.

Trixie: "Yeah. Better than what you feel. Sige kain lang ako"

Pagkatapos ng lunch nag-inuman sa rooftop. One shot lang ako kasi I thought makakasimba kami ni Trix but unfortunately she texted me 'Christoph I think I can't go with you later. Sorry.' I asked her 'Why?' And after that wala ng reply. Is she still avoiding me?

Trixie

Kanina pa nasakit ulo ko after lunch. Dahil siguro wala na naman akong tulog. Naka-dalawang beses na yung pag-ligo ko and still masakit pa rin ulo ko. I was staying in my bedroom to have a nap kasi later I'll go to church with Christoph but I couldn't even just a bit minute. I was scared baka kasi sumpungin ako ng migrane. I don't want them to see how weak I am. I texted him na di ako makakasama sa kanya and I also apologized and di na rin ako nagreply sa text nya. He is here but I couldn't even talk to him because of what had happened last night. I lay on the bed because I felt terrible headache. Nang maramdaman ko na maayos na pakiramdam ko I went downstairs to get water. I get one pitcher of water and a glass para di na ako pabalik-balik sa pagkuha. Pagpunta ko sa sala nandoon sila Christoph and Sam. 'Unlucky.'

Sam: "Para san iyang pitcher of water?"

Trixie: "Ah... dadalhin ko sa kwarto. Tapos na kyo mag-inom?"

Sam: "Yeah. Magkukulong ka ba sa kwarto mo kaya may dala ka nyan?"

Trixie: "Ah hindi. Tutulog lang ako saglit. Then if gusto nyo kumain kayo na lang bahala kung ano gusto nyo wag lang kayo magbasag... kakatayin ako ni kuya pag nagkataon."

Sam: "Ayos ka lang ba?"

Trixie: "Yeah. I'll go back na to my room."

Christoph: "Bakit di ka sasama later?"

Sam: "Sige iwan ko muna kayo."

The moment Sam left us, he continue asking.

Christoph: "Is it because I'm not your boss?"

Trixie: "No. It's not like what you think. Basta..."

Christoph: "Trix anong basta? You always have reasons kapag ako na yung nagtatanong."

Trixie: "I'm sorry. Okay? Next time na lang."

I left him baka kasi humaba pa yung usapan namin. Bakit ganon sya magtanong? One week sila dito mag-stay so ibig sabihin one week din ako iiwas. I sat on the chair in my bedroom. Is it a big deal? Ano namang meron if sasama ako or not? Nothing will gonna happen kundi ang mataranta ako everytime I'm with him. Suddenly everything around me turned black.

Christoph

Why she's always avoiding me? Pumayag sya na magsimba and kung kailan oras na lang yung gap she backed out. She wasn't givingme her real reasons. Iniwan nya lang ako sa sala pagkatapos nyang mag-dahilan. It was already six in the evening and she's not yet coming out from her room. Claire went to her bedroom para sabay na kaming lahat kumain. A few minutes after, Claire screamed. I stood quickly then walk through her bedroom.

Luke: "Anong nangyayari kay Claire?"

Lee: "I don't know tara na lang sa taas."

As we entered Trix's bedroom she was lying on the floor. Ilang beses na namin nakita si Trix na nahimatay.

Christoph: "What happened to her?"

Claire: "I don't know. Inabutan ko syang nandyan."

I lifted Trix and put her on the bed. She was sick. She was like burning. Napakasakitin talaga. Binigyan ako ni Claire ng basang towel.

Claire: "Napakasakitin pa rin talaga ng babaeng iyan."

I could see to her that she was still concerned to Trix even she's involve on the deal.

Luke: "Lagi ba syang ganyan?"

Claire: "Highschool palagi syang hinihimatay but when we turned college and graduated di na sya masyadong ganyan."

So ibig sabihin matagal nya ng alam na nagkakaganito si Trix. How could she take to joined that deal if she really knows the situation of her bestfriend? I was thinking na mag-back out but I don't wanna be a loser lalo na kay Mike. I'll do it.

Trix bedroom is big. It has pink and black wallpapers. May guitar sa loob ng bedroom nya. Is she playing guitar too? Marami pa talaga akong di alam sa kanya. Marami silang pictures ni Claire together since kindergarten. Nasa bedside table nya yung mga frames and I also realized na naka-frame na yung pictures namin together the last time I asked her for a dinner. It made me smile. Di ko na magagawang mag-back out kahit naawa ako kay Trix. Am I starting to love her? No! She's just a younger sister to me. After few minutes, she woke up. 'Why am I here?'

Christoph: "You passed out. You're sick."

Trixie: "Eh paano ako napunta dito?"

Christoph: "Like I've said you passed out . Claire seen you lying on the floor and I lifted you kaya ka napunta dyan. aren't you telling us that you're sick? Do you want to eat?"

Trixie: "Mamaya na lang ako kakain. And okay na ako."

Christoph: "But you're not yet eating."

Trixie: "Kakain ako later."

Christoph: "Okay."

One week had passed hanggang sa umuwi na kami. It's hard to do the deal. What would gonna happen if she figure out 'bout it?